Regional

Strengthen infiltration check gates: MDA partners

Coalition partners of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) on Thursday urged the State government to further strengthen existing infiltration check gates across the state to prevent illegal immigrants excluded in the draft NRC in Assam from entering the state.

“The MDA partners discussed on the NRC fallout and the present situation in Assam and advised the state government to take measures which include strengthening of existing infiltration check gates, and identify areas for setting up of additional check gates,” Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong told journalists after the meeting MDA meeting.

The MDA meet chaired by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma was attended by the members of the six-party coalition comprising of National People’s Party, United Democratic Party, People’s Democratic Front, Hill State People’s Democratic Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Nationalist Congress Party besides three Independents. Tynsong said the coalition partners also unanimously supported the candidature of NPP Supremo Conrad Sangma in the by-elections to South Tura seat so that his victory would further strengthen the alliance.

During the meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister said the coalition partners also stressed on the need to strengthen existing laws and advised the government to revisit the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016 and rules.

The act envisaged the setting up of entry/exit points to check the problem of influx in Meghalaya.

“We want that both the Act and the Rules should be strengthened,” Tynsong said. People’s Democratic Front leader and urban affairs minister Hamletson Dohling said all deputy commissioners and superintendents of police have been also instructed to maintain extra vigil to thwart any attempt on the part of illegal immigrants to enter Meghalaya. On the by-elections to South Tura Assembly seat and Ranikor Assembly seat to be held on August 23, Dohling said as far as South Tura is concerned, all MDA partners wanted the chief minister to win the bypoll from South Tura and continue to lead the state as chief minister.

Conrad is facing Congress nominee, Charlotte W Momin, former South Tura MLA, John Leslee K Sangma and Chris Kabul who both joined the fray as independents.

“We want to ensure the victory of the chief minister and further strengthen the MDA government so that it lasts for five years and even beyond,” Tynsong added.

The MDA partners however are divided in Ranikor constituency, with former Assembly Speaker and five-time legislator, Martin M Danggo of the NPP, is facing opponents from among the MDA partners including the opposition Congress.